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Sunni Muslims News : Muslim leader issues fatwa against terrorists

London: Influential Pakistani Islamic scholar,Shakul Islam Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri, on Tuesday issued a 600-page fatwa condemning terrorists and suicide bombers. The fatwa is a point by point theological rebuttal to fanaticism of al-Qaida and its offshoots. "The reality is that whatever these terrorists are doing isn't martyrdom. All these activities are taking them to hellfire,'' Qadri said in a statement.

He said Islam forbids massacre of innocent citizens and described al-Qaida as "an old evil with a new name''. Policymakers and security chiefs will follow the impact of the ruling with keen interest.

"I'll say that 50% (of those prone to violence) will change their way, they will be influenced. Of the remaining 50% at least some of them, half of them, will become doubtful about their life, their terrorist activity,'' said Cambridge University Islamic Studies lecturer, Tim Winter, in his assessment to Sky News.

He said there have been similar fatwas in the past, but Qadri's edict had gone further than most. "Those who are already hardliners will pay no attention at all but swing voters — poorly-educated and angry Muslims who respect mainstream scholars — will probably take note,'' he said. "Certainly it's a helpful initiative.''

The influential scholar, who belongs to Sufism's Qadri order, has been at the forefront of promoting peace and interfaith dialogue and heads an international religious and educational organisation — Minhaj ul-Quran.

He said he was compelled to issue the fatwa because of the radicalisation of British Muslims on university campuses and the absence of criticism of this phenomenon by Islamic clerics.

Shahid Mursaleen, spokesman for Minhaj-ul-Quran in the UK, said the fatwa was hard-hitting and would "inject doubt into the minds of potential suicide bombers''. The document isn't the first to condemn terrorism and suicide bombing to be launched in the UK. Following the terrorist attacks in London during July 2005, many scholars came together to denounce the bombers and urge communities to root out extremists.